In addition to my stop at Shelter, last week’s trip to Castlefield was arranged principally to check in on Patina (131 Miranda Ave., 416.862.8880), which decamped from Queen Street East last summer. Owned by partners Sal Shivji and Garry Punnett, Patina has always been one of my favorite shops in which to daydream because sadly for me, the boys deal in higher-end merchandise, nearly all of it out of my price range. But what merchadise! What taste!

Unlike so many stools, the ones above are a great height and supremely comfortable in addition to being very well made ($685 each), the spectacular 1970s Italian brass and Lucite pendant will set you back $2,600.

Patina’s new home is soooo much bigger than its former downtown digs, and Shivji and Punnett have followed the market toward mid-century modern with less emphasis on the art deco treasures that established their reputation with Toronto designers. What struck me hardest last week was the preponderance of Lucite — nobody in Toronto has better or more abundant offerings in this sexy, translucent polymer, including vintage tables, chairs, consoles, lamps and chandeliers. If Lucite is your thing, Patina is your store.

The large spherical table lamp, above left, is $1,250, I neglected to get a price on the shelving console and the chair above right is one of a pair priced at $700 each.

The chandeliers below are all magnificent and I was truly surprised to learn that the one far right was Lucite not crystal, which I’d have sworn it was. Prices, left to right, are $6,800, $2,200 and $2,800 respectively.

Patina even had a swish Lucite and glass dining table, above, with nickle-plated mounts for $2,800. In a not-so-big dining room this table would float and practically disappear.

Of course, there’s lots more to the store than 1970s acrylic; one of my favorite pieces was the 1940s coral coloured console, above, priced at $2,200. The teardrop pulls are perfection — hello Jean Harlow!

The oval mahogany dining table, above, had just come back from the refinisher so the condition is formidable, as is the price — $4,200. Have you ever seen such sexy legs? I’m guessing 1950s and the piece comes with two leaves extending it from 72″ to 102″.

There’s also whimsy on the floor; would you have the courage to spring for the velvet chairs below? No question, they’d be conversation pieces: $1,500 for the pair.

And I’ll wrap up this post with one more glamorous vignette, something Sal and Garry do so well. The 1950s flame mahogany dresser is $2,800 and the bohemian black and gold, glass deco lamps are $1,250 for the pair. Oh, and see the ribbed silver vase on the coffee table in the foreground, that little sweetie came home with me.

Patina has never been cheap but if superior quality vintage furnishings are in your snack bracket, start your shopping adventure here. My best friend wanted to scout Studio B for her new house and I told her to forget it, “Go to Patina first.”